At Home

Paying more for appliances and tools saves in the end

The Ryobi P815 cordless drill, left, isn't the least expensive you can buy, but it does offer excellent value. The lithium-ion battery that makes this model perform well also fits older Ryobi 18-volt drills, right.

Photograph by: Steve Maxwell
, Ottawa Citizen

Whenever you buy a power tool or home appliance, you're paying less than you did for equivalent models 10 years ago, sometimes much less.

However, resisting the urge to go after the lowest possible price is actually a more economical way to manage your affairs. Tools and appliances that are not the cheapest usually last longer and perform better, and I've got three examples to prove my point.

Cordless Drills

The current cost of professional-grade power tools is less than consumer-grade models sold during the early 1990s, and nowhere is this more obvious than with cordless drills. Although there are cheaper models than the $89 Ryobi P815 18-volt drill, it performs much better than earlier cordless models costing twice as much. But the only way you'll enjoy these benefits is if you can resist the lure of choosing the very cheapest stuff out there. You'll find cordless drills that cost less than $50, but the ones I've seen simply don't last. Cheap is often more expensive.

Lithium-ion batteries are the main feature that boosts cordless tool performance and, in the case of Ryobi, their 18-volt lithium-ion batteries plug into tools originally made for nickel cadmium batteries.

Toaster Ovens

The effects of dropping prices and rising quality is especially stark in the world of countertop kitchen appliances. A couple of items from Australian-based Breville are prime examples.

It's easy to find toaster ovens that cost less than the large, $300 Breville BOV800XL or the more typically sized $230 BOV650L. I've used many cheapies and never found any models that keep me pleased long-term.

There are a couple of recurring problems with most toaster ovens. Either the elements burn out (sometimes with a spectacular shower of sparks and flame) or the plastic control knobs break or come loose from the shafts. Even when under warranty, these problems are annoying. Lifestyle disruption doesn't make up for rock-bottom prices, not to mention the mountains of prematurely broken, too-cheap products that make their way into landfills.

Besides showing no signs of wear or deterioration during more than two years of hard use at my place, the BOV800XL toasts bread more evenly than any other toaster or toaster oven I've seen. The optional cutting board that sits on top of the oven is a clever way to increase useful countertop workspace.

Plug-In Kettles

When it comes to kettles, the issue of buying cheap may affect your health. Plastic is the reason why. Mounting concerns about the way tiny concentrations of plastic residues act like female hormones in the body is the main issue, which has got to make you wonder about those all-plastic kettles in use everywhere. Boiling water is much more likely to pick up contaminants from plastics when they are present than cold water.

I found the stainless steel Breville SK500XL about three years ago and except for a tiny plastic component inside the otherwise all-metal body, this kettle is plastic-free. It's also proven itself bulletproof, both at my house and two other households where I know the SK500XL is in daily use. It takes about 30 seconds for the auto shut-off to kick in after water starts to boil and if you'd like that to happen quicker, check out the BKE820XL kettle. It includes variable temperature control, which makes the auto shut-off kick in at a range of lower temperatures.

Everyone likes a bargain, but when you realize that today's greatest gear is often cheaper than what bargain basement prices used to be, perhaps you can resist the urge to pinch every last penny. Master that discipline and you'll enjoy some much better stuff in your life.

Steve Maxwell, syndicated home improvement and woodworking columnist, has shared his DIY tips, how-to videos and product reviews since 1988. Follow him at SteveMaxwell.ca, on Facebook or @Maxwells_Tips on Twitter.

Story Tools

The Ryobi P815 cordless drill, left, isn't the least expensive you can buy, but it does offer excellent value. The lithium-ion battery that makes this model perform well also fits older Ryobi 18-volt drills, right.

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Househunting Newsletter

Receive the latest in real estate news, decorating and renovating tips every two weeks in the househunting.ca newsletter.